Notable: The Rangers may have the top athlete in the state tournament in Derrick Griffin, a Miami signee for basketball and football. In the region final against Georgetown, the 6-7 Griffin blocked five shots in the first quarter and finished with 20 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks. Arlington Heights is at state for the second time in three years, but only two current players saw action in the 2011 semifinal loss to La Marque. The two are imposing figures - 6-8 Damontre McFarland and 6-6 A'Shawn Robinson, an Alabama football signee.

Notable: Brennan coach Tommy Hines was a San Antonio Jay assistant in 2002 when the Mustangs beat Kimball on a half-court game-winner for the 5A title. Kimball, the two-time defending champion, is in Austin for the 10th time and looking for its sixth title. The Knights started 0-4 and have losses to state participants South Grand Prairie and Yates and SPC Division I champion Episcopal. Brennan, in its third year, finished the regular season No. 1 in the state and follows the girls team in reaching the semifinals.